The regional capital of San Vito is a jumping-off point for Las Cruces – one of the world’s  leading research centres for the study of tropical biota. A bonus is its cultivated botanical garden, which ranks among the most complete in the tropical world.

Las Cruces, situated a mere 6.4 km south of San Vito, protects 236-hectare reserve of montane tropical rain forest on a ridge of the Fila Zapote range of mountains. It is owned and run by the Organization for tropical studies with whom you can arrange educational stays.

The lush forest, which is often veiled with the mists that nourish a profusion of bromeliads, epiphytes, and other air plants, is a veritable Garden of Eden in a region that has suffered significant deforestation. Birding is especially is rewarding – more than 330 species have been recorded.